Heater for air-motors.



Patented May 29, I900.

,1. CRAIG, m. HEATER FOB AIR MOTORS.

(Lppl ication med July 19, 1399.

(NO Model.)

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Patented May 29., I900.

.1. came, 1R. HEATER FOR AIR MOTORS.

(Application filed July 19, 1899.)

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Patented May 29, I900. .1. CRAIG m. v HEATER FOR AIR MOTORS.

(Application filed July 19, 1899.)

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(No Model.)

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. N irrnn STATES QA'IEWT JAMES CRAIG, JR, OF NEIV YORK, N. Y.

HEATER FOR AIR-MOTORS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 650,525, dated May 29, 1900.

Application filed July 19, 1899.

T0 (0Z5 whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES CRAIG, J12, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of the borough of Manhattan, city of New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heaters for Air-Motors, of which the following is a specification.

' Thisimprove'ment relates to heaters or heating-cylinders used in connection with compressed-air motors on cars and which are of various descriptions; and the improvement consists in the constructions and combinations set forth in the claims herein.

In the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the heatingcylinder and connecting parts. Fig. 2 is a detailed view showing a modified construction of the mechanism for ejecting the hot water into the compressed air. Fig. 3 is a sectional side elevation of one end of the cylinder, showing a modified construction of the charging apparatus; and Fig. 4 is a modified construction of the cylinder.

In the employment of compressed-air motors it is very desirable to heat the air as it comes frorn'the compressor or reservoir and before it passes into the motor, and also to introduce into and mix with the compressed air some hot water or steam.

This improvement is intended to produce a hot-water heater which can be carried on the car or other vehicle, together with the motor, and which in addition to heating the air will automatically inject the required amount of hot water into the same as it passes into the motor and at the same time remove any excess of water from the air, and, furthermore, which can be readily and quickly charged with a fresh supply of the heating fluid.

In the form of the construction shown in the drawings, 1 is the heating-cylinder, of a size and shape to be carried on the vehicle and adapted to contain hot water and steam under pressure. Within this cylinder is a coil of-pipe 2, connected by the pipe 3 with the air-reservoir and by the pipe at with the motor-and through which the air passes and is heated by the surrounding water in the cylinder. On the cylinder, preferably at that end at which the air passes from the heater Serial No. 724,333. (No model.)

to the motor, is the device by which hot water from the cylinder is injected into the airtube and mixed with the air, and at the opposite end of the cylinder is the replenishing mechanism by which the fresh charge of heating tluidis introduced into the heating-cylinder. water is mingled with the air) here shown, and which I prefer to use, consists of an automatic valve 5, described and claimed in my application for Letters Patent filed November 5, 1897, Serial No. 657,457. This valve is operated by the pressure of the compressed fluid in the cylinder acting on the two flexible diaphragms 6 and 7 on the valve-stem 8. These diaphragms 6 and 7 are of different effective areas, whereby a less pressure or force exerted on the diaphragm having the greater effective area will overcome a greater force or pressure on the other diaphragm of less area. The diaphragms are arranged on the valve-stem in such a manner that the dia- The ejecting device (by which the air in the air-tube and by the pressure of the phragm 7, having the less edeotive area, is

next to the valve 5 and has its inner surface exposed to the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder, while the diaphragm 6 of greater area is on the outside and has its outer surface exposed to the compressed air in the air-tube. Between the diaphragms is a chamber 9, communicating by means of a suitable passageway with the outside air and thus filled at all times with air at atmospheric pressure. As will thus be seen by reference to the draw ings, the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder on the inner diaphragm 7 closes the valve and holds it on its seat, and the pressure of the air in the air-tube on the outer diaphragm 6 raises the valve from its seat, opening communication between the inside of the cylinder and the air-tube. The force that opens the valve is therefore the pressure of the compressed air at its normal pressure as it comes from the reducing-valve and passes through the heater to the motor. A

As explained below, the heating-cylinder contains, together with the heating fluid, some compressed air which is at agreater degree of pressure than the air in the air-tube;

but by reason of the greater effective area of v I can overcome the greater pressure of the fluid in the cylinder acting on the other diaphragm and open the valve. The valve-stem 8 is hollow and projects beyond the cylinder, terminating in the air-tube outside of the diaphragm 6. Hence as the valve is opened the fluid from the cylinder is ejected through thevalve-stem into the air-tube and mixes with the compressed air passing through the latter, the amount of water being regulated by the size of the opening in the end of the valvestem.

water or fluid from the cylinder is mixed with the air before the latter passes into the coil in the cylinder and is heated.

The operation of the valve is as follows: When the motor is stationary and there is no pressure of air in the air-tube, the valve is held on its seat by the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder on the diaphragm 7. As soon, however, as the throttle-valve is opened, permitting compressed air to pass through the air-tube from the reservoir, the pressure of this air, acting on the diaphragm 6 exposed to it, overcomes the pressure on the other diaphragm and raises the valve from its seat, and the hot water from the cylinder is then forced by the pressure within the latter through the valve and valve-stem and is injected in a fine spray into the air-pipe 3 and moistens and mingles with the air in the latter as it passes into the coil to be heated. As long as the air continues to pass through the air-pipe, or, in other words, as long as the motor is in operation, the valve is held open by the continued pressure on the diaphragm 6; but assoon as the pressure of air is shut off from the motor and no longer passes through the air-tube the force on the diaphragm 6 is relieved, and the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder acts on the other diaphragm 7 and closes the valve, thus shutting off the flow of water from the cylinder into the air-pipe. As will thus be seen, the operation of the valve is automatic and is controlled by the passage of the air itself through the heater.

In Fig. 2 is shown a modification wherein the water is introduced into the air after the latter has passedthrough the heater and been heated. In this construction the diaphragm 6 is situated in the outlet air-pipe 4. The operation is the same as in the former construction. The air passes from the reservoir or reducing-valve into the coil in the heater and is heated and on coming from the coil and before entering the motor the pressure of the In the construction shown in Fig. 1 thehot water is removed from the air by an apparatus termed a separator. This consists of a cylinder in such position that the air-pipe t from the heater extends across its upper end. In the air-pipe where it crosses the separator are openings 11, through which some of the water from the over-water-laden air can drop down into and be collected by the separator-cylinder. The air-pipe beyond the opening 11 may be restricted or narrowed, as shown in the drawings, to retard the'passage of the air through the pipe, and thus insure the excess of Water dropping through the openings and separating from the air. From the bottom of this separator-cylinder 10 projects a tube 12, which connects with a pipe 13, terminating in the heatingcylinder, near the top of the latter. 12, where it connects with the pipe 13, is a check-valve 14, which allows the contents of the separator-cylinder 10 to pass through the tube 12 and pipe 13 into the heating-cylinder and prevents the fluid from the latter flowing back or entering the separator. In the construction shown in the drawings there is another valve 15, the purpose of which is described farther on.

In the operation of the apparatus as the heated and moistened air passes from the heater through the air-pipe and across the upper end of the separator any excess of wa ter carried by the air will pass through the openings 11 in the pipe and be collected by the separator. The separator thus serves to prevent too great an amount of water being brought into the motor with the compressed air.

Then the motor has remained inoperative for some time, it may occur that through leakage of the valve in the heater the coil and connecting-pipes become filled with water,

and as this water is driven out of the coil and pipes by the air when the motor is started it passes out through the openings 11 in the air-pipe and is collected .in the separatorcylinder, and thus prevented from filling the motor. To more effectually insure the water at such times passing into the cylinder 10 and preventing its entrance into the motor, I employ a small air-tube 1G, connecting the air-pipe 3 with the outlet-pipe 4 at a point beyond the separator or between it and the motor. \Vhen the air-valve is opened, some air at once passes through this tube 16 into the pipe 4 in front of the motor and fills the latter pipe, thus holding back thepassage of the water beyond the separator and compelling it to enter the latter. The water thus collected in the separator is either forced back into the heating-cylinder by the passage of the air into the latter or may be drawn off when the heater is recharged. hen the throttle valve is first opened and the motor is stationary, the pressure of air before it can be regulated by the reducing-valve or can start the motor fills the coil and pipes at a high degree of pressure and rushes into the In the end of the tubeseparatorcylinder 10 and from the latter through the tube 12 and the check-valve 14 into the pipe 13 and hence into the heatingeylinder, where it is trapped and held above the fluid in the top of the latter. As the air thus rushes through the separator into the heating-cylinder it drives the water that may have collected in the separator before it into the heater and returns it to the fluid in the latter. As this operation occurs every'time the air-valve is opened and the motor started, it follows that in the ordinary run of the car or vehicle the separator is kept free from an accumulation of water, the latter being continually returned into the heater. In this construction of the heating-cylinder, as is seen, the operation of throwing the air into the heating-cylinder to obtain the desired pressure of the fluid in the latter and insure the water being forced into the air-pipe when the valve 5 is opened is effected through the separator and clears the latter of its accumulated water.

Should the pressure of the air, and consequently of the fluid, become too great in the heating-cylinder, it is relieved by means of the relief-valve 17 on the top of the cylinder. The water in the heating-cylinder is reheated by charging the cylinder with a supply of hot water or steam. As this charge of water or steam enters the cylinder the air in the latter must pass out or be withdrawn, and in the improvement herewith described the chargin g and discharging oi the cylinder is effected by one operation.

Connected to the end of the cylinder opposite to that at which the air enters and leaves the latter is the charging and discharging orifice 18. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 this orifice consists in a chamber attached to the cylinder and communicating by means of a charging-pipe and also by an escape or outlet pipe with the interior of the latter and containing two check-valves 19 and 20, by which the passage of the fluid from the heating-cylinder out through the charging-pipe or the outlet-pipe is prevented. The orifice or chamber 18 connects with the charging-pipe 21- within the cylinder, through and by which the charge enters the latter. .The discharge or outlet pipe 22, connected with the orifice, extends below and around the cylinder and connects with the pipe 13 from the latter. This discharge-pipe is closed by the checkvalve 20 in the orifice, and when the latter valve is opened the air and water from the cylinder pass out through these pipes 123 and 22. In the drawings the pipe 22 is shown connected with a casing or chamber 23, to which is connected the pipe 13 from the cylinder andalso the tube 12 from the separator and in which are check-valves 14 and 15. lly this construction the contents of'the separator are made to pass out through the discharge pipe and orifice in the manner described below.

In charging and discharging the cylinder I prefer to use the charging-nozzle invented by me and described in my Patent No. 619,282, dated February 14, 1899, and partially shown at 24in the drawings herewith. In this chargin g-nozzle the charging and discharging tubes are situated in the same apparatus, the discharging-tube 25 being within the chargingtube 26 and havinga movementback and forth in the nozzle. When the cylinder is recharged, the nozzle 24 is attached to the orifice or chamber 18 in such manner that the outer charging-tube 26 of the nozzle opens into the interior of the chamber below the check-valve 19 and the inner discharge-tube 25 of the nozzle is brought against the bottom of the discharge check-valve 20. In operating the nozzle the inner discharge-tube 25 is moved forward, which movement opens the charging-valve in the nozzle and allows the charge to pass through the tube 26 into the orifice or chamber 18, where the force of the charge raises the check-valve 19 in the latter, so that the charge passes through the orifice and through the perforated pipe 21 into the cylinder. At the same time as the tube 25 in the nozzle is moved forward it pushes the check-valve 20 from its seat, and thus opens the dischargevalve in the orifice and allows the contents of the cylinder to pass out through the outlet-pipe 22. As is thus seen, the one operation charges and discharges the cylinder.

The device by which the contents of the separator are discharged or drawn off through the discharge-pipe and orifice is as follows: As shown in the drawings, the tube 12 from the separator-cylinder and the outlet-pipe 22 connect with a casing or chamber 23, in which are check-valves 14 and 15, above and operating in connection with the tube 12. Leading from the top of the casing above the upper check-valve 15 is the pipe 13, terminating within the heating-cylinder and near the top of the latter. Extending across the casing is a passage-way 27, leading from the bottom of the pipe 13, above the upper check-valve 15, to the entrance into the discharge-pipe 22. From the end of this passage-way and extending into the discharge-pipe is a suction-T 28, terminating, as is the case in such structures, in asmall opening or orifice. Below the passage-way 27 is a second passage-way 29, extending from the tube 12 above the lower check-valve 14c and below the upper checkvalve 15 and opening into the discharge-pipe 22 above the lower end of the suction-T 28. 1V hen the discharge-valve 20 in the orifice is opened, the pressure in the heating-cylinder rushes through the pipe 13, passage-way 27, and suction-T 28 into the discharge-pipe 22. The pressure of the escaping air and fluid holds the upper check-valve 15 securely on its seat, and thus prevents any of the fluid from passing into the passage-way 29. By reason of the pressure in the heating-cylinder the contents of the latter pass through the pipe 13 and through the passage-way 27 and suction- T with great force and at a high velocity and, owing to the structure and location of the IIO suction-T, creates a strong suction in the upper part of the entrance into the pipe 22 above the bottom of the suction-T and in the passage way 29. This suction raises the lower check-valve 14 and draws out the water contained in the tube 12 and in the separator, and thus drains the latter of its contents. As will thus be seen, in this construction the discharge or vent from the cylinder when the latter is recharged not only permits the escape of some of the contents of the cylinder, but drains the separator and removes the water which has accumulated therein directly through the discharge-pipe.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification of the discharging mechanism on the cylinder. In this construction the discharge-valve is on the cylinder and is the same as the valve 5, before described, by which the water is mixed with the air,having two operati ng-diaphragms 30 and 31 of different effective areas, by which the valve is opened and closed. The diaphragms and valve are inserted in'the end of the cylinder, and on the outside ofthe diaphragm 30, of greater effective area, by which the valve is opened is a chamber 32, which communicates by means of a tube 33 with that part of the interior of the orifice 18 through which the charge of steam and hot water from the charging n ozzle passes into the cylinder. The other diaphragm 31, having the less effective area, by which the valve is closed and held on its seat, is, as in the case of the diaphragm '7 in the other valve, exposed to and operated by the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder. The discharge-pipe 22 in this construction passes into the cylinder and terminates on the inside of the dischargevalve, and from the outside of the valve extends a tube 34, which connects with the orifice 18 in line with the discharge-tube 25 in the nozzle. As the charge of steam and hot water passes through the orifice 18 into the cylinder some of the steam and water enters the chamber 32 through the tube 31 and pressing on the diaphragm 30 opens the valve, allowing the discharge from the cylinder to pass from the outlet-pipe 22 into the pipe 34, and thus out into the discharge-tube in the nozzle. As soon as the charge ceases to pass through the orifice, and thus ceases to exert any pressure on the diaphragm 30, the pressure of the fluid in the cylinder on the other diaphragm closes the valve and holds it on its seat, thus stopping the escape from the cylinder.

It may be found in the operation of the heater that it is not necessary to remove any of the water introduced into the air, and that therefore the separator may be dispensed with. In such a construction the necessary compressed air is thrown into the heating-cylinder-through the air-tube 35, Fig. 4, provided with the check-valve 36. As before described in the case of the air passing through the separator, every time the throttle-valve is first opened to start the motor some air at a coil, as shown in Fig. 4. When the discharge from the cylinder takes place, the water will be drained from the coil through the dis' charge-pipe in the same manner as it was drawn 05 from theseparator, as described above.

What I claim is- V 1. In a heaterfor compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder containing hot water and having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated; and mechanism mounted on the cylinder, whereby hot water from the cylinder is introduced into the air in the pipe, substantially as described.

2. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder containing hot water and having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated; and mechanism mounted on the cylinder and operated by the compressed air, whereby hot water from the interior of the cylinder is introduced into' the air, substantially as described.

3. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating -cylinder containing hot waterand having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated; and a valve mounted on the cylinder and operated by the compressed air, whereby hot water from the interior of the cylinder is introduced into the air, substantially asdescribed.

4:. In a hot-water heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder containing hot water; a pipe in such cylinder through which the air passes to be heated; a connection between the pipe and the interior of the cylinder; and a valve located in said connection and operated by the compressed air, whereby hot water from the cylinder is mixed with the air, substantially as described.

5. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder, arranged to charge the air with water and heat the same as it comes from the reservoir; a separator adapted to remove the excess of water from the air and return the water into thecylinder; and a connection between the separator and cylinder through which the water is returned to the latter, substantially as described.

6. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder containing hot water and having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated; mechanism mounted on the cylinder and operated by the compressed air, whereby hot water from the heating-cylinder is introduced into the air; a separator adapted to remove the excess of water from the air; and a connection between the separator and cylinder through which the water in the separator is returned to the heatingcylinder, substantially as described.

7. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heatingcylinder having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated; a valve connected with the cylinder and operated by the compressed air passing into the latter, whereby hot water from the cylinder is mixed with theair; and an escape-valve connected with the cylinder, adapted to be operated by the charge entering the same, in recharging the cylinder, whereby the contents of the cylinder escape therefrom as the charge enters, substantially as described.

8. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating cylinder having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated; a valve connected with the cylinder and operated by. the compressed air passing into the latter, whereby hot water from the cylinder is mixed with the air; an escape-valve, connected with the cylinder, adapted to be operated by the charge entering the sa1ne,whereby the contents of the cylinder escape therefrom as the charge enters; and a separator, by which the excess of water is removed from the air as it comes from the heating-cylinder, substantially as described.

9. In a heater for compressed air, having a heating-cylinder arranged to heat the air'and charge it with waterfrom the heater, the separator 10 connected with the cylinder and adapted to remove and receive the excess of water from the air, and having the connection provided with the check-valve 14, whereby the contents of the separator can pass back into the cylinder, substantially as described.

lO. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, the heating-cylinder 1, having the coil 2, through which the air passes to be heated; the valve 5 mounted in the cylinder, and having the diaphragms 6 and 7, whereby the valve is operated by the pressure of the air, in the air-pipe, and of the fluid in the cylinder; and the separator 10,having the pipe 12 and valve 14, and communicating with the interior of the cylinder, substantially as described.

11. In a heater for compressed air having a heating-cylinder, arranged and adapted to heat the air and charge it with hot water, and provided with an escape-valve by which the contents of the cylinder are discharged from the latter, in combination, the separator 10, by which the excess of water is withdrawn from the air, having the pipe 12, provided with the check-valve 14 dischargepipe 22, communicating with the pipe 12 and with the escape-valve on the cylinder; and suction-T 28, located in the pipe 22 whereby when the escape-valve is opened the contents of the separator are drained out through the pipe 12 and discharge-pipe 22, substantially as described.

12. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, the heating-cylinder 1, having the pipe 2 through which the air passes to be heated; a passage-way connecting the airpipe and the interior of the heater; and the valve 5 located in said passage-way, having the diaphragms 6 and 7, adapted to be opened by the pressure of the compressed air from the reservoir and closed by the pressure of the liquid in the cylinder, whereby the valve is opened and hot Water from the cylinder is ejected through the passage-way into the pipe, substantially as described.

13. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, the heating-cylinder 1, having the coil 2, through which the air passes to be heated; valve 5 connected with the cylinder, whereby hot water from the latter is introduced in the air; separator 10, having the pipe 12, provided with the check-valves 14: and 15 and communicating with the pipe 13 into the cylinder and with the discharge-pipe 22 from the latter; escape-valve on the cylinder,

whereby the contents of the latter are withdrawn; discharge-pipe 22 connected with the escape-valve and communicating with the cylinder and with the pipe 12 from the separator; and suction-T 28, located in the pipe 28, substantially as described.

14. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder, arranged and adapted to heat the air and charge it with water, and having an escape-valve by which the contents pass out of the latter; a separator connected with the cylinder, whereby the excess of water is removed from the air as it comes from the heating-cylinder; and mechanism connected with the escape-valve and with the separator, whereby the water is drained from the latter when the valve is opened, substantially as described.

15. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, the heating-cylinder 1 arranged and adapted to heat the air; valve 5 connected with the cylinder whereby hot water from the latter is introduced into the air; separator 10 through which the air passes from the cylinder to the motor, and whereby the excess of water is removed from the air; and the airtube 33, whereby air is introduced directly into the pipe leading from the separator, substantially as described.

16. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder containing hot water and having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated, mechanism mounted on the cylinder whereby hot water from the latter is introduced into the air; and a communication connecting the air-pipe and interior of the cylinder, substantially as described.

17. In a heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder having a pipe through which the air passes to be heated, and arranged and adapted to heat the air and charge it with water an escape-valve connected with the cylinder whereby the contents of the latter are withdrawn and mechanism connected with the escape-valve and With-the pipe in the cylinder, whereby the charge-pipe, and provided with a check-valve water is drained from the latter when the by which the contents of the cylinder is prevalve is opened, substantially as described. 18. Ina heater for compressed air, in combination, a heating-cylinder; a pipe in such cylinder through which the air passes to be heated; an escape-valve connected with the cylinder, by which the contents of the latter are withdrawn; a discharge-pipe communieating with the escape-valve and with the interior of the cylinder; a pipe connecting the pipe in which the air is heated with the disvented from passing into the air-pipe; and a suction --T in the discharge-pipe, whereby when the escape-valve is opened to discharge the contents of the cylinder, the water in the air-pipe will be drained out through the discharge-pipe, substantially as described.

JAMES CRAIG, JR. Witnesses:

FRED S. KEMPER, CHAS. E. ANDERSON. 

